Collapsible picture-screen



Nov. 17, 1931. J. T. HECK GOLLAPSIBLE PICTURE SCREEN Filed Dec. 3 'sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 17, 1931. J. T. HECK COLLAPSIBLE PICTURE SCREEN Filed DGO. 20, 1929 3 SheetS-Sheel'. 2

NOV.l17, 1931.l T HECK 1,832,705

y COLLAPSIBLE PICTURE SCREEN Filed Dec. 20. 1929 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 InUeTlf' fdl@ By Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN T. HECK, F OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 THE DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY, INC., 0F ILLINOIS CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORI?IiiA'IIONA OF GOLLAPSIBLE PICTURE-SCREEN Application led December 20, 1929. Serial No. 415,407.

My invention relates to foldable or collapsible screens, for example, suitably-coated,

fabric screens, such as are employed for the projection thereon of inovingor still pictures, one of the leading objects of the invention being the production of a portable or stationary appliance of this character, which is simple in construction, which may be easily operated, which holds the screen tight and free from wrinkles, and which may be collapsed into small space, preferably in a box in which it may be readily carried.

In order that those skilled in this art may fully understand the invention from structural as well as functional standpoints, and the advantages accruing therefrom, in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specillcation, al present, preferred einbodiincnt of the invention has been illustratcd in detail, and, for simplicity, like reference numerals have been employed to designate the saine structural parts tliroughout the several views.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a back View of the screen in extended or usable condition, the ligure representing a longitudinal, vertical section on a reduced scale on line 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal sec tion on line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section on line 3-3 of Figure 2; and 1 Figure 4 is a secnon a long line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring to these drawings, it will vbe perceived that the improved and novel appliance includes a box or container 10 fitted with a hinged cover 11 and cooperating fastening means 12 and 13, so that the cover may be held closed and the whole appliance readily carried by means of a handle 14 fastened to the central portion of the top of the cover.

The bottom part of the box is divided into two longitudinal compartments by a length- Wise disposed wall 15 mounted on the floor of the box, the back wall of the latter and the partition wall l5 supporting two, cross shafts 16, 16 on each of which a worm-wheel 17 is mounted for rotation. k5o The apparatus includes also a long shaft 19 revoluble in spaced bearing members 21, 21 on the inside of the back Wall of the box, such shaft being fitted with two worms 18, 18 in mesh with the worin-wlieels 17, 17, one end portionof shaft 19 having a cross-pin 22 to enable a handle or crank 23 with slots 24 to be litted over the pin to turn the shaft 19 in a manner readily apparent, the shank of the handle extending through an aperture to winch the free edge of the fabric screen 32 is n secured in any approved manner.

ln soine instances, it niay be desirable to use a coiled spring 40 for each of the hinges 28 with its ends bearing on the two arms 2( and 29 tending to straighten them, but, in other cases, such springs may be omitted.

rlhe lower end of the screen is secured to a spring-actuated roller 33 of the ordinary type, the internal spring of which tends'to rotate the roller on its trunnions 34 and 36, which are revoluble in bearings 35 and 37 to Wind up the screen automatically when permitted to do so.

After the screen has been raised or extended, i-t is desirable in some instances to turn the roller 33 still more to tighten the screen additionally to remove any folds or wrinkles therein and to maintain it perfectly ilat, and, accordingly, the trunnion 3d is provided with a cross-pin 38 so that the handle 23 may be removed from the shaft 19 and applied to the roller through the opening 39 in the end of the box to turn it in the proper direction for stretching the screen, and, to hold the screen in this strained or tense condition, a ratchetwheel 41 is secured -to the roller and a pawl 42 is hinged to the base of the box and may be rocked into cooperative relation with the ratchet-wheel or swung back to inactiveposition. i

The appliance is actuated as follows:

Assuming that the entire structure is collapsible in the box, as shown in dotted lines in Figure l, and that the cover is closed and latched, the apparatus is worked in the following manner.

First, the cover is unlocked and thrown back, and then the handle, which was previously in the box, is applied to the shaft 19 and turned, the rotation of the worms and worm-wheels simultaneously and equally rocking the two arms 27, 27 upwardly in opposite directions, their movements being transmitted to the hinged arms 29, 29 so that the bar 2O is elevated in a manner always parallel to the roller 33.

As the bar 20 ascends, the screen 32 is unwound from the spring-actuated roller which keeps it substantially flat.

IVhen the arms 27 27 and 29, 29 have reached their vertical positions, which constitute their limits of movement, as shown in Figure l, the turning of the handle is terminated, and, if it is desired to tighten the screen to eliminate any wrinkles or creases, the handle is detached from the shaft 19 and applied to the trunnion or shaft 36 and the pawl 42 is swung over into position to cooperate with the ratchet-wheel.

rl`he turning of the handle a small amount revolves the roller in the proper direction to stretch and tighten the screen and it is maintained in this condition by the cooperation of the pawl with the ratchet-wheel which prevents reverse rotation of the roller.

In other words, the manual turning of the rollei` a small amount puts a greater strain on the screen than the spring within the roller could accomplish by itself.

After the screen structure has been used in this condition and is ready for collapsing, the handle is turned slightly to permit the backward swinging of the pawl 42 and thus allow the roller spring to become fully operative without interference and then the handle is removed from the shaft 36, applied to the shaft 19, and revolved in the proper direction to fold or colla se the arms 27, 27, 29, 29 down into the box, uring which action the screen automatically rolls up on the drum or roller 33.

The handle is removed from the shaft and laid in the box whose cover is then closed and clasped or locked, whereupon the whole appliance may be readily carried about.

The invention is not necessarily limited and restricted to the precise and exact details of structure set forth, and those acquainted with this art will readily understand that many minor or major mechanical changes may be incorporated therein without departure from the heart and essence of the invention, as defined by the appended claims,

and without the loss or sacrifice of any of its substantial benefits or advantages.

I claim 1. In a collapsible picture-screen structure,

the combination of a support, a picture- F screen, a spring-actuated roller on said support to which the screen is attached and on which it is adapted to be wound up automatically by the action of the spring, means to hold the free edge of the unwound screen in fixed position, manually-operable means to turn said roller to tighten the screen to free it from wrinkles, and manually releasable means to maintain the roller in such screentightened relation.

2. In a collapsible picture-screen structure, the combination of a support, a picture-screen, a roller on said support to which the screen is attached and on which it is adapted to be wound up and from which it is adapted to be unwound, means to hold the free edge of the unwound screen in fixed position, manually-operated means to turn said roller to tighten the unwound screen to free it' from wrinkles, and manually releasable means to maintain the roller in such screentightened relation.

3. In a collapsible picture-screen structure, the combination of a support, a picture-screen, a spring-actuated roller revoluble on said support and to which said screen is secured and which tends to automatically wind the screen on the roller, a bar to which the free edge of the screen is attached, arms hinged to said bar, base arms rockingly mounted on one end of said support and hinged to the other ends of said arms, means on said support to rock said base arms simultaneously to extend said screen or to permit it to be wound on said roller, manually actuated means to turn said roller to tighten the extended screen to free it from wrinkles, and manually releasable means to maintain said roller in such screen-tightened relation.

4. In a collapsible picture-screen structure, the combination of a support, a picturescreen, a spring-actuated roller revolubly mounted on said support and to which said screen is secured and which tends to wind the screen on itself automatically, a har to which the free edge of the screen is attached, arms hinged to the opposite ends of said bar, base arms rockingly mounted on said support and hinged at their other ends to said arms, a shaft, a handle to turn said shaft, and worm and worm-wheel connections between said shaft and base arms, whereby turning of said handle in opposite directions straightens said pairs of arms to extend the screen and folds said pairs of arms to allow the screen to be wound on said roller.

5. In a collapsible icture-screen structure, the combination o a support, a picturescreen, a. spring-actuated roller revolubly mounted on said support and to which said screen is secured and which tends to wind the screen on itself automatically, a bar to which the free edge of the screen is attached, arms hinged to opposite ends of said bar, base arms rockingly mounted at one end of said support and hinged at their opposite ends to such arms, a shaft on said support, a handle to turn said shaft and detachable therefrom, worm and worm-wheel connections between said shaft and base arms, whereby turning of said handle in opposite directions straightens Said pairs of arms to extend the screen and folds said pairs of arms to allow the screen to be wound on `said roller, a ratchet-wheel secured to said roller, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet-wheel, means to render said pawl operative or inoperative, and means permitting said handle when detached from said shaft to turn said roller to free the extended 20 screen from wrinkles, said ratchet-Wheel and pawl holding the roller in screen-tightened relation.

6. In a collapsible picture-screen structure, the combination of a portable box having a top cover adapted to be opened and closed, a roller in said box, a screen attached to said roller, means to extend said screen l and unwind it from said`roller, manuallyactuated means constantly in said box for operating said screen extending means, and ahandle by which said operating means may be actuated, said screen extending means bein collapsible in said box.

n witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand' JOHN HECK T. 

